Kenyan Partnership Link

 Kenyan Methodist Church website

Easter greetings between Bishop Joseph and Susan Johnson: Click here

Young People's Visit 2013

 The Partnership Link between the Darlington District and the Miathene Synod began in 2005 with the hope that we would learn and grow together supporting our work for God through prayers, visits and funding of mission projects. The Miathene Synod has invited a group of young people to visit Kenya in August 2013. We have agreed that we are looking for 10 young people aged 16- 21 and 4 leaders. 

We are looking for people who;
• Are aged between 16 and 21 on 31 July 2013.
• Have little or no experience of life in the developing world
• Be willing to engage in monthly meetings for the year prior to the visit for preparation and training
• Are willing to speak to groups of people, both in Kenya and on their return to the District. You may be asked to speak at short notice while in Kenya so be prepared! English is the official language of Kenya but your words may be translated by others.
• Are in good health
• Have the backing, both prayerful and financial, of their church and circuit
• Will be able to raise funds for the visit
• Have a faith story to share and are committed to Jesus
• Leaders, lay or ordained, who also will meet most of the criteria above and who have skills in relating to young people, some awareness of cultural difference.

The cost of the visit will be around £2,000 each and depending on cost of flights, possibly a bit more. It is presumed that circuits, local churches and the District will be able to help financially but that publicity and fund raising will also play a big part in the preparations. Lack of funds, however, should not prevent someone’s name being put forward by the Circuit. While in the Miathene Synod you will be staying either in the Synod manse or with local families. There will be a visit to a safari park and possibly some time in Nairobi where you will stay in the Methodist Guest House.

We would like each circuit to ask for names of people who may be interested in the 2013 visit, and to let Susan Johnson, District Mission and Development Enabler know by 10 June 2012. Please use the link below to download and complete the application form below. 

Interviews will take place towards the end of June 2012. Please continue to pray for the Miathene Synod and our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Susan Johnson
On behalf of the Partnership Link Planning Group

To download Information Letter and Application Form:  Click here; 

 Report on the visit to the Miathene Synod in July-August 2010 

Click to download the Miathene Synod Priorities & Development Projects as a PDF

We have heard very little from Kenya through this year until we received two emails this September and the reason for the silence has become clear. There has been so much for the churches to do in helping people suffering from the effects of the drought and famine in the area. The text in bold is to provide more information.

September 2011 Extracts from recent emails from Bishop Ntomburu to our Chair of District, Revd Ruth Gee: 

Thank you very much for your very kind email. I have been well, my family too and the synod at large. However, we are faced with an enormous challenge of feeding families that have got no food at all due to drought conditions. A lot of our churches have been able to contribute food but of course the challenge gets bigger by the day. We are doing everything we can as a synod, taking each day at a time and trusting God to see us through the challenge. I am very touched by your kindness, I do not have appropriate words to express how blessed we are as a synod to partner in mission with Darlington district.

The alternative right of passage for girls in our synod is a great transformational rite which gives issues of life and Christianity a holistic approach. (The traditional way for girls to mark their transition from childhood to adulthood is through Female Genital Circumcision. The Methodist Church is in the forefront of developing a new transformational experience.) It is an amazing experience but unfortunately this year, we swept the idea under the carpet as we have bigger challenges hence the drought and the famine.

Some of our women and officials shed tears of joy on hearing that this may be a possibility through your generosity. (The District Network group have agreed to have this as their project for the year)

We bless God for you as this has given us new energy to organise the event for the end of the year. We look forward to celebrating this event at the end of the year.

On Thursday we are meeting as a development committee and the relief sub committee to continue exploring ways of helping those around us who are suffering. I would say that our members have been very generous in sharing food but we definitely need prayers as we have not seen the challenge of this magnitude in a long time but all in all God has been faithful and gracious to us.

Ruth had informed the Bishop of the possibility of holding a collection at Synod for the drought and also for the children of Jane Kaibunga, who died earlier this year leaving her children in eth care of the Methodist Church) I would say that both are critical, so perhaps you could share between both funds. This was done and £741 will be sent soon, the split being £405 for the Children's Trust and £336 for the famine relief fund, due to specific requests for money to be used in this way.

On a different note, my wife works with a large group of marginalised women in Nairobi slum areas helping them to empower themselves out of poverty through trade. She makes with the women very beautiful jewellery and decorative items for the home. She is looking for churches to partner with these women groups in buying their items for Christmas gifts and other occasions like Mother's day etc. Her ministry to the marginalised women is to give the women pride by earning through their work and helping them to gain skills to independence (financial). She has been able to evangelise to so many women this way, she has partnered with a few churches in US and Europe who are extremely happy to be part of this and now that your synod is meeting, she would like to request the members of Darlington church through you for a partnership in this to advance this very noble cause. You could discuss the details with my wife as she is able to give information about the groups and products, so you can see if it is of interest or not.

Sorry that there was a lot to write about the various issues and finally from myself and all the members of Miathene Synod, we would like to send our very warm greetings and deep gratitude to all the delegates of Darlington synod and we would like to assure you that our love and prayers are with you during your annual synod.

May God be truly kind and gracious to you all. Please convey to them that your Christian love and generosity has made an invaluable difference in this synod to glory of God.

Yours Sincerely in Christ,

Footnote: 11 September :
Last Sunday my wife and visited Ametho circuit making appeals for food and we have had a lot more Christians coming out to give money and food to reach out others. Please continue praying for us ,the struggle continues.